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Former Boxing Champ Evander Holyfield Accused of Hitting Wife

By Kamika Dunlap | Last updated on

These days many fights for Evander Holyfield are happening outside of the boxing ring.

The former heavyweight boxing champ is facing a legal bout and his wife has filed for a temporary protective order against him.

According to the Associated Press, Candi Holyfield, 30, filed documents accusing her husband of hitting her in the back of the head on Feb. 1, after she refused to show him check stubs of her financial contributions to the church. A temporary restraining order was issued banning the boxing great from being within 500 yards of his wife and their two children.

The protective order also alleges Evander Holyfield, 47, of other acts of violence, including choking, hitting and throwing a bottle of water at his wife. The abuse began about six months after they were married July 1, 2003, according to court documents. Candi Holyfield claims the abuse started out as emotional and escalated to physical abuse.

It is unclear whether there was a criminal investigation.

In addition, she alleges that her ex-champ husband choked her in front of their daughter and housekeeper in 2008, and that last year he hit and grabbed her in front of their children.

One of Evander Holyfield's most notable fights was in 1997 when Mike Tyson was disqualified after biting off part of Holyfield's right ear.

Some of the things that an order of protection (which is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia) can do are:

  • Prohibit the abuser from contacting, attacking, striking, telephoning, or disturbing the peace of the victim;
  • Force the abuser to move from a residence shared with the victim;
  • Order the abuser to stay at least 100 yards away from the victim, his or her place of residence, and place of employment;
  • Order the abuser to attend counseling; and
  • Prohibit the abuser from purchasing a firearm.

A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 18.

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